The Stadshal measures 40 metres long and 20 metres high, with a wooden roof pierced by no fewer than 1,600 tiny windows. Held up by steel pillars and devoid of full walls, it’s more of a roof structure than a building. The design has echoes of the stepped gables of the city's houses, as well as the traditional long house of Neolithic settlements. Like those, the Stadshal is intended to become a popular meeting place in the city centre.

According to critics, however, it's more like a barn, and it has already been given the nickname Schaapstal – sheep pen. “Sheep bleat, and bleating [bleiten] is the Ghent word for crying,” explained Hans Van Doorne, chair of the city’s Environmental Advice Council and organiser of an unofficial protest against the Stadshal on opening day. “We weep for this sheep pen, which we actually never wanted.”

Ghent alderwoman Martine De Regge, responsible for public works, pointed to the example of the Eiffel Tower, which was roundly criticised by Parisians when it was built in 1889. “Controversy is good,” she said. “Gentenaars are well-known for their critical attitude.”

Architect Robbrecht also had a problem: The building is actually not yet finished, and the park alongside it is not yet accessible. He said the city council ought to have waited before the official opening. According to Robbrecht, Ghent needs time to adjust to the new building, an opinion shared by Lieven De Caluwe, alderman for culture: “Evidently the people of Ghent are going to take some time to get used to this Stadshal,” he said.